Container systems having instructional systems and related methods

ABSTRACT

Instructional systems related to providing a recommended dosage amount of a fabric care treatment composition to a fabric load. Container systems with such instructional systems. Automatic washing machines with such instructional systems. Methods related to such instructional systems.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to instructional systems related toproviding a recommended dosage amount of a fabric care treatmentcomposition to a fabric load. The present disclosure further relates toa container system with such instructional systems. The presentdisclosure further relates to automatic washing machines that includesuch instructional systems. The present system further relates tomethods of using such instructional systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To achieve optimal performance benefits when washing or otherwisetreating laundry, the recommended dosage of fabric care treatmentcomposition, such as a conventional detergent, is typically dependent onthe size of load to be treated. Small loads require smaller amounts of atreatment composition, while larger loads require larger amounts.However, modern developments in laundry practices and technologies haveremoved some of the traditional cues that users have used to estimateload sizes and dosage levels, thereby leading to mis-dosing andsuboptimal performance.

Changes in modern automatic washing machines have contributed to thisproblem. For example, traditional machines often require a user toactively select a load size before starting the machine; however, modernmachines may automatically sense the size of a load, thereby removingthe necessity to proactively assess load size. Consumers who grew upwith top-loading washing machines may be accustomed to using theagitator and/or the inner wall of the drum of the machine as a visualyardstick when assessing laundry loads from a top-view perspective;however, front-loading machines are becoming more popular and do notoffer the same visual cues. Additionally, the inner volume of laundrymachines have, on average, become larger, so that a half-full machinetoday may actually contain a greater amount of laundry than a half-fullmachine of yesteryear.

Packages of fabric care treatment compositions often include graphicalindicia that guide a user to use the recommended dose for a particularload size. Compared to textual instructions, graphical indicia may beeasier to understand for a variety of users, such as those who do notspeak or read a local language. These graphical indicia often illustratelaundry load size in terms of a traditional wide-mouthed laundry basket.However, it may be challenging for a user to properly correlate his orher actual load size to the load size (and consequent dose) shown on thegraphical indicia. For example, commercially available baskets do nothave a standardized volume. Additionally, modern consumers may not evenuse a traditional basket. Instead, they may use collapsible containers,flexible bags, or taller baskets with a smaller footprint, as suchcontainers may be preferred for space, cost, and/or aesthetic reasons.

Finally, modern forms of fabric care compositions may contribute todosing problems as well. For example, water-soluble pouches thatencapsulate fabric care compositions offer the no-mess convenience of apre-measured unitized dose. However, the dosing options offered by suchpouches are digital—a consumer can add one, two, three, etc.,pouches—and do not allow for intermediate volumes, whereas a consumerwho used a traditional liquid detergent with a dosing cap could add alittle more or a little less than the recommended dose of detergent,depending on his/her assessment of the load size. Furthermore, a usermay be uncertain as to whether he or she is “allowed” to use more thanone pouch for a load, particular in modern high-efficiency washingmachines, which employ lower water volumes than traditional machines.

Given the challenges above, there is a need for systems and methods thatimprove a user's ability to assess laundry load size and provide theappropriate dosage of a fabric care composition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to instructional systems, where theinstructional systems include a plurality of indicia, where each indiciaincludes a washing machine feature, a fabric load level, and a dosageamount.

The present disclosure further relates to a container systems thatinclude: a container including an interior volume; and an instructionalsystem located on the container, where the instructional system includesa first indicia and a second indicia; where the first indicia includes afirst washing machine feature, a first washing machine load levelrelative to the first washing machine feature, and a first dosage amountof a fabric care treatment composition; where the second indiciaincludes a second washing machine feature, a second washing machine loadlevel relative to the second washing machine feature, and a seconddosage amount of the fabric care treatment composition; where the secondmachine load level is greater than first machine load level; and whereinthe second dosage amount is more than the first dosage amount. Theinstructional system may include a third indicia that includes a thirdwashing machine feature, a third washing machine load level relative tothe third washing machine feature, and a third dosage amount of thefabric care treatment composition. The third washing machine load levelmay be greater than the second machine load level, and the third dosageamount may be greater than the second dosage amount.

The present disclosure further relates to automatic laundry machinesthat include a washing machine feature and an instructional systemlocated on the automatic laundry machine. The instructional system mayinclude indicia that include washing machine features corresponding tothe washing machine features of the automatic laundry machine.

The present disclosure further relates to processes of treating a fabricload and selecting a fabric care treatment composition dosage amountusing the instructional systems disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are intended to be illustrative in nature only and are notintended to be limiting.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show instructional systems of the prior art.

FIG. 3 shows a bag with an instructional system according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a tub with an instructional system according to the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a container lids with instructional systems accordingto the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a container having an instructional system according to thepresent disclosure on a curtain that at least partially occludes theopening of the container.

FIG. 8 shows an automatic washing machine with an instructional systemaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows an automatic washing machine with an instructional systemaccording to the present disclosure on the interior surface of a door.

FIG. 10 shows an automatic washing machine with an instructional systemaccording to the present disclosure on the interior surface of a door.

FIGS. 11-17 show instructional systems according to the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the present disclosure meets one or more of thechallenges described above by providing a container with aninstructional system. The instructional system may provide improved“real-life” indicators of load size. It is believed that consumers whoare presented with instructional system that correspond to “real life”markers of load sizes are more likely to provide the recommended dose offabric treatment composition to the load, thereby improving theperformance benefits of the composition and consumer satisfaction withthe product.

As described above, a graphic of a laundry basket may not be relevant toa user's laundry routine. Instead, the present disclosure relates toinstructional systems that include indicia that correspond to visualcues present in an automatic laundry machine as used by a consumer. Morespecifically, the indicia may illustrate a load size as viewed by theconsumer after the load has been placed in an automatic laundry machine.The load size is correlated with a recommend dose of a fabric caretreatment composition that is appropriate for that particular load size.A plurality of indicia, each of which includes a washing machinefeature, a fabric load level relative to the washing machine feature,and a dosage amount appropriate for each fabric load level, may beprovided to the user, who can visually match his or her actual load sizeto the indicia and add the recommended dosage amount.

Additionally, the instructional system may be placed in a location thatattracts a user's attention and/or interrupts her usual laundry routine,thereby providing the user with a cue or reminder to affirmativelyassess load size, which in turn is likely to make her more mindful ofdosage amount.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, articles such as “a” and “an” when used in a claim, areunderstood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described.

As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “comprises,” “include,”“includes,” and “including” are meant to be non-limiting. The term“consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” are meant to be limiting,i.e., excluding any components or ingredients that are not specificallylisted except when they are present as impurities.

The term “substantially free of” as used herein refers to either thecomplete absence of an ingredient or a minimal amount thereof merely asimpurity or unintended byproduct of another ingredient. In some aspects,“substantially free” means that the composition comprises less thanabout 0.1%, or less than 0.01%, or even 0% of an ingredient.

As used herein, the term “solid” includes granular, powder, bar, andtablet product forms.

As used herein, the term “fluid” includes liquid, gel, paste, and gasproduct forms.

As used herein, the term “liquid” refers to a fluid having a viscosityof from about 1 mPa*s to about 2000 mPa*s, preferably from about 40mPa*s to about 1000 mPa*s, more preferably from about 70 mPa*s to about600 mPa*s at 25° C. at a shear rate of 1000 s⁻¹. In some embodiments,the viscosity of the liquid may be in the range of from about 50 mPa*sto about 200 mPa*s at 25° C. at a shear rate of 1000 s⁻¹. In someembodiments, the viscosity of the liquid may be in the range of fromabout 250 mPa*s to about 500 mPa*s at 25° C. at a shear rate of 1000s⁻¹. The liquids may be Newtonian or non-Newtonian (shear thinning)liquids.

As used herein, “fabric care treatment compositions” include fabricdetergents, fabric softeners, 2-in-1 detergent and softening,pre-treatment compositions and the like. Fabric care compositions maycomprise typical fabric care adjuncts, including surfactants, builders,chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dispersants, enzymes,and enzyme stabilizers, catalytic materials, bleach activators,polymeric dispersing agents, clay soil removal/anti-redeposition agents,brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes, additional perfume and perfumedelivery systems, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners,carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, pigments, and mixtures thereof.The composition may be a laundry detergent composition comprising anadjunct selected from the group comprising a shading dye, surfactant,polymers, perfumes, encapsulated perfume materials, structurant, andmixtures thereof. The fabric detergent composition may be used duringthe main wash process or could be used as pre-treatment or soakingcompositions.

All temperatures herein are in degrees Celsius (° C.) unless otherwiseindicated. Unless otherwise specified, all measurements herein areconducted at 20° C. and under the atmospheric pressure.

In all embodiments of the present invention, all percentages are byweight of the total composition, unless specifically stated otherwise.All ratios are weight ratios, unless specifically stated otherwise.

Instructional Systems of the Prior Art

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, containers of the prior art may includecomparative instructional systems 100. The comparative systems 100illustrate a plurality of laundry baskets 110, 115. A first laundrybasket 110 shows a first load level 120, and a second laundry basket 115shows a second load level 125. The first load level 120 corresponds witha first dosage amount 130 of a fabric care treatment composition 500,and the second load level corresponds with a second dosage amount 135.In FIG. 1, the first and second dosage amounts 130, 135 are shown asdifferent volumes of a fabric care treatment composition 500 in dosingcups 140. In FIG. 2, the first and second dosage amounts 130, 135 areshown as different amounts of unitized dose pouches 145. As describedabove, a system 100 that illustrates the load level 120, 125 in terms ofa laundry basket 110, 115 may not be user-relevant or may be challengingfor a user to translate to real life.

Container Systems with Instructional Systems

The present disclosure, on the other hand, relates to containers 200having instructional systems 400 that provide improved “real-life”indicators of load size, such as a volume or relative height of a loadin an automatic washing machine 300. More specifically, the presentdisclosure relates to container systems, where the container systemincludes a container 200 and an instructional system located thereon400.

The container 200 may be any container that is suitable for containing afabric care treatment composition 500. The container may have aninterior volume. The container may be a bag, box, or tub.

As shown in FIG. 3, the container may be a bag 210, such as a flexiblebag. The bag 210 may be made from a flexible material 215. Materials ofuse include, but are not limited to film forming plastics. Film formingplastics may be selected from the group of polyethylene terephthalate,polyethylene, Nylon™, Barex™, Evoh™ and combinations thereof.

As shown in FIG. 4, the container may be a tub 220. The tub 220 may bemade from a rigid material 225, such as a plastic material. Any suitablepolyolefins and/or polyesters may be used. Suitable materials includepolyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene (HDPE), lowdensity polyethylene (LPDE), and combinations thereof.

The container 200 may include other indicia 250, such as brandingindicia, safety indicia, and/or instructional indicia. The container 200may be transparent, transluscent, opaque, or a combination thereof. Forexample, the majority of the container 200 may be opaque, and thecontainer may include a window. A portion of the contents of thecontainer may be able to be seen through the window, which may be usefulto show consumers what the actual product looks like, or how much isleft in the container.

The container may have a lid 230. The lid may be formed partially orwholly of a moldable thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene,polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitryl butadiene styrene (ABS),polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate or elastomer, or a blend ofthese materials. The instructional system 400 may be located on the lid230. As shown in FIG. 5, the instructional system 400 may be on an outersurface 232 of the lid 230, such as on an outer surface of the lid. Thislocation may be useful as the instructional system 400 may be seennearly every time the container 200 is opened and/or closed by a user.As shown in FIG. 6, the instructional system 400 may be on an innersurface 234 of the lid 230, such as the side opposite the top of thelid. This location may be particularly useful when the lid 230 ishingeably openable; when the lid 230 is in an open position, theinstructional system 400 may be readily seen by a consumer.

As shown in FIG. 7, the container 200 may have a curtain 240. Thecurtain 240 may partially or fully occlude an opening 222 of thecontainer 200. The curtain 240 may be a flexible material, for example amoldable thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene,polystyrene, acrylonitryl butadiene styrene (ABS), polyester, polyvinylchloride, polycarbonate or elastomer, or a blend of these materials.Typically, the curtain 240 is not removed or removeable by the consumer.However, the curtain 240 may include an aperture 245 through which thecontents of the container 200 may be removed. The aperture 245 mayinclude perforations that the consumer or manufacturer separate in orderto allow access to the contents of the container. The instructionalsystem 400 may be located on the curtain 240. The instructional system400 may be located entirely on one side of the aperture 245, or theinstructional system 400 may be located on more than one side of theaperture 245. Locating the instructional system 400 on the curtain 245may be useful in that the consumer may have to reach past the curtain245 each time contents are removed from the container. Thus, a consumeris likely to observe such a curtain 245 (and any indicia printedthereon) each time the contents are accessed.

Automatic Washing Machines with Instructional Systems

The present disclosure also relates to automatic washing machines 300that have instructional systems 400 located on the machines. Suitableautomatic washing machines 400 include front-loading washing machines302 and top-loading washing machines 304. Machines may be traditionalmachines or high efficiency machines. Automatic washing machines 300typically have an interior volume in the form of a drum 310 which issized and configured to receive the fabric to be treated. The machines300 may have a recloseable door 320 that provides access to the drum310. Top-loading washing machines 304 may include an agitator 315, whichtypically rises vertically from a bottom floor of the drum 310 along anaxis of rotation.

The instructional system 400 may be located on an exterior surface of anautomatic washing machine. The exterior surface may be any surfacevisible to a user, such as a front surface 306 or a top surface 308 ofthe washing machine 300. FIG. 8 shows a washing machine 300,specifically a front-loading washing machine 302, with an instructionalsystem 400 located on an exterior surface of the washing machine,specifically on a front surface 306.

The instructional system 400 may be located on an interior surface 325of an automatic washing machine 300, such as on an interior surface 325of a door 320 or a drum 310. FIG. 9 shows a front-loading washingmachine 302 with a door 320 having a window 330, where an interiorsurface 325 of the door 320 includes an instructional system 400 locatedthereon. FIG. 10 shows a top-loading washing machine 304 with a door320, where an interior surface 325 of the door 320 includes aninstructional system 400 located thereon.

Instructional System

The instructional systems 400 of the present disclosure may be locatedon a container 200 or washing machine 300, typically in a location thatmay be seen in the course of ordinary use. The instructional system 400may be affixed to the container or machine, printed directly onto thematerial of the container or machine, integrally formed as part of thecontainer or machine, or a combination thereof. The instructional system400 may be part of a sticker, which may be affixed to the container byan adhesive, or part of a magnet. The instructional system 400 may beprinted directly onto the material 215 of a bag 210 or a tub 220. Theinstructional system 200 may be integrally formed as the container 200,for example molded or etched into the material 215, 225 of the container220 or onto a surface 306, 308 of machine 300.

The instructional system 400 may contain at least two portions, such asa first indicia 410 and a second indicia 420. Typically, each portion orindicia 410, 420 includes at least three parts: a washing machinefeature 412, a washing machine load level 414 relative to the washingmachine feature 412, and a dosage amount 416. FIGS. 11-17 illustrateexemplary embodiments of the instructional systems 400 described herein.

The indicia 410 may include a washing machine feature 412. The washingmachine feature 412 of the indicia may be shown in isolation, or it maybe displayed as part of an automatic washing machine 411. The washingmachine feature 412 may be a washing machine window, a washing machineagitator, a washing machine drum, a washing machine wall, a washingmachine door, or combinations thereof. The washing machine feature 412of the present instructional systems 400 may be stylized and/orsimplified; for example, a window may be drawn as a circle, and anagitator may be drawn as a simple post or rectangle.

The indicia 410 may include a washing machine load level 414. Themachine feature 412 may provide a frame of reference for the load levelsize 414. Therefore, the washing machine load level 414 may be coupledwith, or relative to, the washing machine feature 412. For example, themachine feature 412 may be a window, for example the window of afront-loading washing machine, and the window may have an area or aheight. As more laundry is added to the machine, the laundry takes up agreater area of the window, or is present at a greater fraction of thewindow height. Therefore, the relative window area or height taken up bythe laundry to be treated is an indication of load size, and theinstructional systems 400 disclosed herein may correlate such a loadlevel to a recommended dose of a fabric care treatment composition.

The load level 414 may be illustrated as a point, as a line, as an area,or a volume. The load level 414 may also be graphically represented,such as by differently sized graphics (such as differently sizedarticles of clothing—small, medium, large, etc.) or by different numbersof articles of clothing (one shirt, two shirts, etc.).

The indicia 410, 420 of the instructional systems 400 described hereinmay also include a dosage amount 416. The dosage amount 416 may be anamount of a fabric care treatment composition 500. The dosage amount 416may represent a recommended amount of a fabric care treatmentcomposition 500 that is appropriate for a load level of a given size.Therefore, a dosage amount 416 may be coupled with a washing machineload level 414. The dosage amount 416 may be measured and/or representedin any suitable manner, such as by volume, mass, number, amount ofunitized dose articles, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 11 shows an instructional system 400 having a first indicia 410 anda second indicia 420. The first indicia 410 includes a first machinefeature 412, which is in the form of a first window (stylisticallyrepresented as a circle), and a first washing machine load level 414,which is illustrated as a first shaded portion of the first window. Thesecond indicia 420 includes a second machine feature 422, which is inthe form of a second window, and a second washing machine load level424, which is illustrated as a second shaded portion of the secondwindow. The second load level 424 is greater than the first load level414 (i.e., the area of the second shaded portion is greater than thearea of the first shaded portion, and/or the line of the second windowis at a greater fraction of the window's height than the line of thefirst window). The first and second windows may be the same size.Additionally, FIG. 11 includes a first dosage amount 416 and seconddosage amount 426 represented as volumes of a liquid treatmentcomposition 500 in first and second dosing cups 418, 428. The seconddosage amount 426 may be greater (e.g., has a greater volume and/ormass) than the first dosage amount 416.

The machine features 412, 424 and load levels 414, 424 of FIG. 12 aresimilar to those of FIG. 11. However, the dosage amounts 416, 426 arerepresented by different amounts of unitized dose articles 419. Thearticles 419 may be in tablet form or in the form of a pouch, where afabric care treatment composition 500 is encapsulated by a water-solublefilm. The fabric care composition encapsulated by the film may be solid,liquid, gel, or combinations thereof. The first dosage amount shown inthe first portion of FIG. 12 is one unitized dose article 419, and thesecond dosage amount is two unitized dosing articles 419, 429.

The instructional systems 400 disclosed herein may include a machine 411with a machine feature 412. FIG. 13 shows a first indicia 410 of theinstructional system 400, which includes a first washing machine 411having a first washing machine feature 412 in the form of a window; afirst load level 414 is displayed in the first window, and the firstdosage amount 416 is one pouch 419. The second indicia 420 of theinstructional system 400 includes a second washing machine 421 having asecond washing machine feature 422 in the form a window. A second loadlevel 424 is displayed in the second washing machine window, and thesecond dosage 426 amount is two pouches 419, 429.

The first and second washing machine features 412, 424, e.g., windows,may each have a height H1, H2. The heights H1, H2 of the first andsecond features 412, 422 may be equal. The first load level 414 may be afirst fraction FF of the height H1. The second load level 424 may be asecond fraction SF of the height H2. The first load level 414 may be afirst fraction that is from about 0% to about 50%, or from about 10% toabout 40%, of the height H1 of the washing machine feature 412. Thesecond load level 424 may be greater than the first load level 414and/or a second fraction that is from about 50% to 100% of the height H2of the washing machine feature 422. The first load level 414 may be lessthan half of the height, area, or volume of the machine feature 412, andthe second load level 424 may be about half or greater than half of theheight, area, or volume of the machine feature 424.

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 13, but the first dosage amount 416 is afirst volume of a liquid composition 500 in a first dosing cup 418, andthe second dosage amount 428 is a second volume of a liquid composition500 in a second dosing cup 428.

The instructional systems 400 described herein may include a thirdportion or indicia 430, which may include a third washing machinefeature 432, a third washing machine load level 434 relative to thethird washing machine feature 432, and a third dosage amount 436.

For example, FIG. 15 shows an instructional system 400 that includes afirst portion or indicia 410 and a second portion or indicia 420. Theinstructional system 400 further includes a third portion or indicia 430that includes a third washing machine 431 having a third washing machinefeature 432 in the form of a window. A third load level 434 is displayedin the third window. The third portion 430 includes a third dosageamount 436, shown as three unitized dose articles 419, 429, 439.

The first load level 414 may be a fraction that is from about 5% toabout 40% of the height of the washing machine feature 412; the secondload level 424 may be a fraction that is from about 40% to about 60% ofthe height of the washing machine feature 422; and the third load level434 may be a fraction that is from about 60% to about 100% of the heightof the washing machine feature 432. The first load level 414 may beabout one-third of the height, area, or volume of the machine feature412; the second load level 424 may be from about half to abouttwo-thirds, or about two-thirds, of the height, area, or volume of themachine feature 422; and the third load level 434 may be from about 90%to about 100%, or from about 95% to about 100% of the height, area, orvolume of the machine feature 432.

The instructional system 400 shown in FIG. 16 includes first and secondmachine features 412, 422, where the machine features 412, 422 includecross-sectional views of an agitator 450 and a drum 455. The first andsecond washing machine load levels 414, 424 are shown relative to theagitator 450 and the drum 455. The dosage amounts 416, 426 are shown as“x1” pouch 419 and “x2” pouches 419, respectively.

The instructional system 400 shown in FIG. 17 includes perspective viewsof the machines 411, 421, as well as the drums 455 and agitators 450located therein. The load levels 414, 424 are shown as volumes (e.g, offabrics to be laundered) relative to the drum volume and/or the agitatorheight.

The instructional systems 400 described herein may include otherindicia, such as text, branding, or ornamentations.

Fabric Care Composition

The container 200 may include a fabric care composition that iscontained in an interior volume of the container 200. The fabric caretreatment composition may be a laundry detergent composition. Thecomposition may be in the form of a unitized dose article. Thecomposition may be a pouch, where the composition is encapsulated by awater-soluble film, which may include polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH). Thepouch may be a mono-compartment pouch, or the pouch may be amulti-compartment pouch. The pouch may have two, or three, or four, orfive, or more compartments. One or more of the compartments may have acolor. The compartments may be side-by-side, in a tire-and-rimconfiguration, and/or superposed on another compartment. At least one,or at least two smaller compartments may be superposed on a largercompartment. Suitable compositions include liquid TIDE®, granular TIDE®,and pouched compositions such as TIDE® PODS and GAIN® FLINGS, eachavailable from The Procter & Gamble Company (Cincinnati, Ohio, USA).

The fabric care treatment composition contained in the container 200 maycorrespond with the first and second dosage amounts 416, 426 illustratedin the first and second indicia 410, 420, respectively, of theinstructional system 400 described herein. For example, if the fabriccare treatment composition is in the form of a unitized dose article,the first and second dosage amounts 416, 426 may be represented asunitized dose articles 419, 429. When the unitized dose articles have adesign, shape, and/or color, the first and second doses of the indiciamay have a similar or same design, shape, and/or color. When thecomposition is a flowable material such as a liquid or a powder, thecontainer system may include a dosing cap or scoop. In such cases, thefirst and second dosage amounts 416, 426 of the first and second indicia410, 420 may include a dosing cap or scoop that is similar or the sameas the dosing cap or scoop of the container system.

In order to create a unified product impression, the container, thecomposition, and/or the first and second dosage amounts of the first andsecond indicia, respectively, may each comprise the same color, such asorange, blue, white, green, and/or purple.

Methods of Use

The present disclose further relates to processes of using theinstructional systems 400 described herein to treat a fabric load with afabric care treatment composition. In particular, the instructionalsystems 400 are useful for determining what dosage amount of acomposition should be added to an automatic washing machine.

The present disclosure relates to a process for treating a fabric loadwith a fabric care treatment composition. The process may include thestep of placing a fabric load into an interior volume of an automaticwashing machine, such as the drum, where the automatic washing machineincludes a machine feature, such as a window or an agitator.

The user may determine or estimate an actual washing machine load levelby comparing the fabric load to the machine feature. This may includemaking a visual estimate of the area or height of a washing machinewindow occluded by the fabric load. The actual load level may also berelative to the height of an agitator or volume of a washing machinedrum.

The user may compare the actual load level to an instructional systemdescribed herein 400. The instructional system 400 may be provided aspart of a container system, which may include a container 200 with aninterior volume. The container system may include a fabric caretreatment composition contained in the interior volume. Theinstructional system 400 may be located on an automatic washing machine300.

The instructional system 400 may include a plurality of indicia 410,420, where each indicia 410, 420 includes a washing machine feature 412,422 that corresponds to the washing machine feature of the user's actualwashing machine. Each indicia 410, 420 may further include a fabricmachine load level 414, 424, which may be coupled to, or relative to,the washing machine feature 412, 414. Each indicia 410, 420 may furtherinclude a dosage amount 416, 426 coupled to the fabric load level 414,424. The plurality of indicia may include first and second, andoptionally third, indicia 410, 420, 430 as described herein.

The user may choose a selected indicia from the plurality of indicia410, 420 of the instructional system. Typically, the selected indiciawill include a fabric machine load level 414, 424 that approximates orcorresponds to the actual washing machine load level. Put another way,the user selects the indicia 410, 420 that displays a load level 414,424 most closely resembling the user's actual load level.

The user may provide a fabric care treatment composition to the actualfabric load. The composition, which may be a heavy duty laundrydetergent, may be provided in an amount that corresponds to the dosageamount displayed in the selected indicia. This may be recommended volumeor amount of unitized dose articles, such as one or more pouches.

Once the fabric care treatment composition has been combined with thefabric load in the drum of the automatic washing machine, the user maystart a treatment cycle. The cycle may include soaking, washing, and/orrinsing the fabric load. It is understood that the fabric load may betreated with additional compositions, such as fabric softeners. Thefabric load may also be dried, for example in an automatic dryer or byline drying.

EXAMPLES

The following numbered paragraphs provide examples of the subject matterdescribed herein. The examples are intended to be illustrative andnon-limiting.

1. A container system comprising: a container comprising an interiorvolume; and an instructional system located on said container, saidinstructional system comprising a first indicia and a second indicia,wherein said first indicia comprises a first washing machine feature, afirst washing machine load level relative to said first washing machinefeature, and a first dosage amount of a fabric care treatmentcomposition; wherein said second indicia comprises a second washingmachine feature, a second washing machine load level relative to saidsecond washing machine feature, and a second dosage amount of saidfabric care treatment composition; wherein said second machine loadlevel is greater than first machine load level; and wherein said seconddosage amount is more than said first dosage amount.

2. The container system according to paragraph 1, wherein said first andsecond washing machine features are selected from the group consistingof a washing machine window, a washing machine agitator, andcombinations thereof.

3. The container system according to any of paragraphs 1-2, wherein saidfirst and second washing machine features are washing machine windows.

4. The container system according to any of paragraphs 1-3, wherein saidfirst and second washing machine features are the same size.

5. The container system according to any of paragraphs 1-4, wherein saidfirst dosage amount is a first amount of unitized dose articles, andwherein said second dosage amount is a second amount of unitized dosearticles.

6. The container system according to any of paragraphs 1-5, wherein saiddosage amount is one unitized dose article.

7. A container system according to any of paragraphs 1-6, wherein saidcontainer further comprises a fabric care treatment compositioncontained in said interior volume.

8. A container system according to claim 7, wherein said fabric caretreatment composition is in the form of a unitized dose article.

9. A container system according to any of paragraphs 1-7, wherein saidinstructional system further comprises a third indicia, wherein saidthird indicia comprises a third washing machine feature, a third washingmachine load level relative to said third washing machine feature, and athird dosage amount of said fabric care treatment composition.

10. A container system according to any of paragraphs 1-9, wherein saidinstructional system is located on a label, wherein said label isaffixed to said container.

11. A container system according to any of paragraphs 1-10, wherein saidinstructional system is printed directly onto said container.

12. A container system according to any of paragraphs 1-11, wherein saidinstructional system is located on an internal surface of saidcontainer.

13. A container system according to claim 12, wherein said internalsurface is selected from the group consisting of an interior surface ofa lid said container, a curtain at least partially occluding an openingof said container, and combinations thereof.

14. A container system according to any of paragraphs 1-13, wherein saidcontainer is a tub or a bag.

15. An automatic laundry machine, said machine comprising a washingmachine feature and an instructional system located on said automaticlaundry machine, said instructional system comprising a first indiciaand a second indicia, wherein said first indicia comprises a firstwashing machine feature, a first washing machine load level relative tosaid first washing machine feature, and a first dosage amount of afabric care treatment composition; wherein said second indicia comprisesa second washing machine feature, a second washing machine load levelrelative to said second washing machine feature, and a second dosageamount of said fabric care treatment composition; wherein said secondmachine load level is greater than first machine load level; and whereinsaid second dosage amount is more than said first dosage amount.

16. An automatic laundry machine according to paragraph 15, wherein saidwashing machine features are each a window.

17. An automatic laundry machine according to any of paragraphs 15-16,wherein said first dosage amount is a first amount of unitized dosearticles, and wherein said second dosage amount is a second amount of aunitized dose articles.

18. A process for treating a fabric load, said process comprising thesteps of: (a) placing a fabric load into an interior volume of anautomatic washing machine, wherein said automatic washing machinecomprises a machine feature; (b) determining an actual washing machineload level by comparing said fabric load to said machine feature; (c)providing a container system, wherein said container system comprises acontainer with an interior volume, a fabric care treatment compositioncontained in said interior volume, and an instructional system locatedon said container, said instructional system comprising a plurality ofindicia, wherein each indicia comprises: said washing machine feature, afabric load level coupled to said washing machine feature, and a dosageamount coupled to said fabric load level; (d) choosing a selectedindicia from said plurality of indicia, wherein said fabric load levelof said selected indicia approximates said actual washing machine loadlevel; (e) providing said fabric care treatment composition to saidfabric load, wherein said fabric care treatment composition is providedin an amount corresponding to said dosage amount of said selectedindicia; and (f) starting a treatment cycle of said automatic washingmachine.

19. The process according to paragraph 18, wherein said machine featureis a window.

20. The process according to any of paragraphs 18-19, wherein saiddosage amount is an amount of unitized dose articles.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container system comprising: a containercomprising an interior volume; and an instructional system located onsaid container, said instructional system comprising a first indicia anda second indicia, wherein said first indicia comprises a first washingmachine feature, a first washing machine load level relative to saidfirst washing machine feature, and a first dosage amount of a fabriccare treatment composition; wherein said second indicia comprises asecond washing machine feature, a second washing machine load levelrelative to said second washing machine feature, and a second dosageamount of said fabric care treatment composition; wherein said secondmachine load level is greater than first machine load level; and whereinsaid second dosage amount is more than said first dosage amount.
 2. Thecontainer system of claim 1, wherein said first and second washingmachine features are selected from the group consisting of a washingmachine window, a washing machine agitator, and combinations thereof. 3.The container system of claim 2, wherein said first and second washingmachine features are washing machine windows.
 4. The container system ofclaim 1, wherein said first and second washing machine features are thesame size.
 5. The container system of claim 1, wherein said first dosageamount is a first amount of unitized dose articles, and wherein saidsecond dosage amount is a second amount of unitized dose articles. 6.The container system of claim 5, wherein said dosage amount is oneunitized dose article.
 7. A container system according to claim 1,wherein said container further comprises a fabric care treatmentcomposition contained in said interior volume.
 8. A container systemaccording to claim 7, wherein said fabric care treatment composition isin the form of a unitized dose article.
 9. A container system accordingto claim 1, wherein said instructional system further comprises a thirdindicia, wherein said third indicia comprises a third washing machinefeature, a third washing machine load level relative to said thirdwashing machine feature, and a third dosage amount of said fabric caretreatment composition.
 10. A container system according to claim 1,wherein said instructional system is located on a label, wherein saidlabel is affixed to said container.
 11. A container system according toclaim 1, wherein said instructional system is printed directly onto saidcontainer.
 12. A container system according to claim 1, wherein saidinstructional system is located on an internal surface of saidcontainer.
 13. A container system according to claim 12, wherein saidinternal surface is selected from the group consisting of an interiorsurface of a lid said container, a curtain at least partially occludingan opening of said container, and combinations thereof.
 14. A containersystem according to claim 1, wherein said container is a tub or a bag.15. An automatic laundry machine, said machine comprising a washingmachine feature and an instructional system located on said automaticlaundry machine, said instructional system comprising a first indiciaand a second indicia, wherein said first indicia comprises a firstwashing machine feature, a first washing machine load level relative tosaid first washing machine feature, and a first dosage amount of afabric care treatment composition; wherein said second indicia comprisesa second washing machine feature, a second washing machine load levelrelative to said second washing machine feature, and a second dosageamount of said fabric care treatment composition; wherein said secondmachine load level is greater than first machine load level; and whereinsaid second dosage amount is more than said first dosage amount.
 16. Anautomatic laundry machine according to claim 15, wherein said washingmachine features are each a window.
 17. An automatic laundry machineaccording to claim 15, wherein said first dosage amount is a firstamount of unitized dose articles, and wherein said second dosage amountis a second amount of a unitized dose articles.
 18. A process fortreating a fabric load, said process comprising the steps of: a. placinga fabric load into an interior volume of an automatic washing machine,wherein said automatic washing machine comprises a machine feature; b.determining an actual washing machine load level by comparing saidfabric load to said machine feature; c. providing a container system,wherein said container system comprises a container with an interiorvolume, a fabric care treatment composition contained in said interiorvolume, and an instructional system located on said container, saidinstructional system comprising a plurality of indicia, wherein eachindicia comprises: said washing machine feature, a fabric load levelcoupled to said washing machine feature, and a dosage amount coupled tosaid fabric load level; d. choosing a selected indicia from saidplurality of indicia, wherein said fabric load level of said selectedindicia approximates said actual washing machine load level; e.providing said fabric care treatment composition to said fabric load,wherein said fabric care treatment composition is provided in an amountcorresponding to said dosage amount of said selected indicia; and f.starting a treatment cycle of said automatic washing machine.
 19. Theprocess according to claim 18, wherein said machine feature is a window.20. The process according to claim 18, wherein said dosage amount is anamount of unitized dose articles.